Derby County are delighted to announce the appointment of John Eustace as Head Coach.
John returns to Pride Park Stadium after two spells as a player, on loan in 2009 and for the final two years of his playing career from 2013-15.
Owner David Clowes said: “I’m excited to welcome John back to Derby County. Fans will remember him for his craft, commitment and intelligence. He was a real leader.
“I’ve followed his managerial career with interest, and it’s clear he has the qualities we need to maintain our progress.
“He helped both Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City avoid relegation, before taking Birmingham to sixth place prior to his departure. He has repeated that achievement at Blackburn Rovers, leaving behind a team in the play-off places.
"I am thrilled that he shares our belief in the potential of Derby County and that he wants to play a leading role in our plans.
"When we bought the club, I was moved by the passion, solidarity and shared belief that bonded all of us who cared about Derby County. From the players, to the staff and to every single fan, we shared a determination to save the club and drive it forward.
"It's the same bond we need now as we get behind John and the players for these final 14 games. That bond was clear at Norwich last Saturday, a team fighting and refusing to be beaten, urged on by our magnificent support.
"This is now a season within a season and it’s time for that passion, solidarity and shared belief again, to show what the Rams mean to us all.”
John has signed a contract which will run until the summer of 2028 and takes up his position with immediate effect.
He will be joined by Matt Gardiner (Assistant Head Coach) and Keith Downing (First Team Coach) on the coaching staff.
John Eustace In Profile
- A midfielder in his playing days, Eustace began his career at Coventry City in 1998, before joining Stoke City in 2003 and Watford in 2008.
- The first of his stints with Derby came on loan in 2009 and, after returning to Watford, he eventually joined the Rams permanently in the summer of 2013.
- Eustace enjoyed the final two years of his career with Derby, playing 62 times in total and scoring three goals across his two spells, before retiring in 2015 after playing 434 games and scoring 34 goals in all.
- He stepped into management with Kidderminster Harriers in 2016 ahead of spending four years on the coaching staff at Queens Park Rangers between 2018 and 2022, as well as serving the Republic of Ireland senior Men’s coaching staff.
- Eustace returned to management with Birmingham City in the summer of 2022 and left the Blues early in the 2023/24 season despite being in a top six spot. He returned to management in February 2024 at Blackburn Rovers and, after guiding them to safety, he guided them into the top six in the current campaign.
- In total, Eustace has recorded 226 matches in management, winning 98 and drawing 53.
